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@Thread starter, according to your preferences the ZMR is actually the kind of bike which you would love on the Highways, it is designed for that, and yes you are right in regards to comfort, that bike is huge. But yes, one doubt mingles my mind, Hero Motors is having a tough time in the market, if you are looking for long term requirements then think again on the ZMR, who knows it might get discontinued like its other siblings (just a thought).

Or else you can think of Yamaha Fazer.

thread starter - Why dont you look at Apache RTR 180 as its also agood bike, as it meets most of your touring requirements.

And again the CBR 250 is also a good touring bike and its been a proven fact.

The ZMA-r makes more sense than the ZMR as its a potent tourer.

As @eshan told the Fazer is also a good choice.

ZMR is perfect. I've done 500kms+ one day journey and trust me.. The butter smooth engine handles everything. You can indefinately cruise at 100-110kmph without stressing out the engine. And since you've shown concern about the performance of this engine, i do not quite get it. Mileage is 45+ on highways which is just perfect. but otherwise you can have a look at the honda cbr.. Amazing tourer.. If mileage is not a major issue.. I would have suggested bullet but since you are against it, next option is the zmr. i would in fact put the cbr above zmr cause of higher cc, looks and its a honda.. According to my preference, it is bullet, zmr or honda cbr, and then the other bikes. I do not have the kowledge about the other bike's performance as a tourer so i cannot comment about that..

+1
I have sen very few folks mentioning the RTR for touring purpose. I don't know why or how but the RTR is heavily underestimated. It can move at 100+ speeds comfortably for long hours [ I'm telling you from my own experience]. But that said, I feel you should extend your budget and get the Ceeber. Best bet is to have the 250. Even 150 i good for touring. Infact its excellent

Bro is the pillion comfort good in rtr? Specially the new model? How about the vibes?

Vibes are there in the 5k-6k rpm range, but I find it to be very negligible. Its an over rated negative of the RTR family. I advice you to do a test ride as the rider as well as the pillion. In any case, CBR250 is by far the best of the lot. Get it and you wont regret

You can actually opt for the CBR150R for that budget. It lacks 1 basic essential, namely a pass light switch. But the rest of it is quite a friendly package for long hauls on the highway. Falls close to your budget too. Engine and FE department is well covered too.

If you are open to other suggestions, do try out the P220. Fits all requirements like a glove. I have one and have done 1000+km in a day multiple times on it. Its practically silent between 105-112 kmph on speedo. Headlamps are adequate for almost all situations. If you do feel the need for an upgrade, you can very well get an HID and use it *Legally* at least on low beam. The biggest benefit is that you really don't need to care about road conditions too much. It keeps on going and going fast.. regardless of how bad the road gets.

For touring and pillion confort:-
Cbr250>P220>Karizma>Cbr150

But isn't the pulsar more of a street fighter than a tourer? Specially its riding posture. U've got to lean a little compared to the cbr and the karizma.. Even the shocks.. Cbr's and the karizma's GRS shocks handle the potholes better than the nitrox ones.. It's pretty obvious.. in pulsars, the ns is more of a tourer if you compare with 220 according to me.. Its easy. just sit and push down the front shocks of a pulsar and a cbr or karizma. U'll feel the diff. same goes to the rear. I've observed it many many times. 220 is a raw power machine. cbr is too!! and its also a cool tourer.

On touring front p220 is better than ns imo due to its semi fairing and wide usable torque range and good straight line stability. It suspension isn't that firm either.

You can consider impulse .Comfort is unbeatable I can say that

Hey Prospective Tourer,

Your budget is tantalizing and your choices are equally interesting! Now, I myself am not a tourer and what I'm expressing is common facts and derived from others' experience and reviews-

Avenger 220- Cruisers might be great as tourers in America, not in India. Period.

Karizma ZMR- Bulletproof reliability, proven motor, comfy as a sofa and ugly as hell (Personal opinion). If you're willing to live with the looks and the aging underpinnings and outdated features, it's a capable tourer.

Pulsar 200NS- The newest arrival, journos going ga-ga over it, great quality, stonking performer, but a tourer it ain't. It's a streetfighter designed to excel in the city and since I'm a 200 DTSi owner, I can vouch for the need for better wind protection if you want to do 75+ speeds on the highway. Also, since it's new, there might be a few teething problems in the offing too.

CBR 250R- If your budget was 1.5 L, I would have urged you to put in a little more and go for it as it's character comes very close to that of an urban tourer (at least for India).
But there's a hitch- that poor part quality coupled with nearly half a lakh more you'll have to fork out isn't worth it. The bike just doesn't look/feel premium enough and I would be a little wary as its reliability here is still not proven, what with all those numerous complaints from owners and a minor product recall too...

Now, coming to the best options in your budget that you haven't considered- The Pulsar 220F and the Karizma R.- excellent bikes in their own respect. Both have half fairings that will be useful at 100+ speeds. Without FI, mechanics should be able to service them easily if you get stranded somewhere.The 220 has superb lights, offers all the performance you'll need if you ride sanely, is quite comfortable and offers good quality and I'm guessing Bajaj has ironed out all those issues by now.
The ZMA is a workhorse- easy to handle, as comfy as the ZMR, ultra-reliable, refined....still going strong, in fact my friend who ad a budget of 1 lakh recently bought one inspite of having the NS, ZMR and other options! I would very strongly suggest you think about the Zma- a practical opinion as it meets all your criteria and you'll end up saving some dosh too!It's a better karizma as it's a ZMA without those tacky clothes (Personal opinion again), FI, added weight and needless clip-on bars.
A tourer in Indian conditions should be based on the following- Refinement, high-speed handling, comfort, wind protection, reliability, service and spares (while touring)
All said and done, it's your choice to make! (If you indeed like the CBR a lot, do a thorough review of the owners' thread and decide- else why would someone with a 1.2 budget consider a 1.6 L bike... !)

In bold: looks goes by personal perceptions.. I bought the zmr as it looked cool for me when someone rode it..
Speaking of what you told about ZMA, i agree. Its got a hell lot of road balance than the zmr cause of the bulky weight of the latter... And yes since its a carb, if you get stranded you can get it easily fixed. However if you buy an fi and if the fi fails then that's it!! I'd recommend a ZMA over a zmr or a p-220. However not above the cbr.. Cause comparing to the class and types of bikes in the indian market, it has the upper hand of quality and looks. But if under budget then definatel the ZMA. No looking back.. After that the ZMR and then p220 as i consider a p220 more of a street racer type than the tourer type... And also reliability matters. So ZMA.. Else ZMR. Else p220..